So different, yet so similar. The Rams still lost, but I'm hard pressed to recall the last Rams game where it came down the final drive. 

Highlights

• I think we all have a much better idea about just how important Steven Jackson is to this offense. The line opened holes for him today and that was important. However, Jackson's ability stretches many of those runs, squeezing a few extra yards out that another RB is less likely to get. He even blocked well on passing plays.
• Gotta hand it to the offensive line. They grinded it out today, making the running game matter again and giving Bulger enough protection to shoot himself in the foot. No sacks allowed. Romberg gave the Rams much better play at center than Leckey, and substituting Greco for Jacob Bell some helped keep the underweight free agent from getting tired and easily shoved aside. 
• The Rams lost nothing with David Vobora playing in the middle. Now, let's not get irrationally exuberant, the Rams run defense was nothing special, but Vobora and the front seven played much better than in recent weeks. Still, we need more help at LB for next season. They made all that Wildcat talk look silly. When was the last time Tinoisamoa made a difference by being on the field?
• Chris Long played an outstanding game. The Rams have a real special player here, a guy that'll be the centerpiece of our defense in the years to come.

Uh oh.

Steven Jackson didn't have a carry in the fourth quarter. Not one. 

No word yet, but I'm wondering if he re-aggravated  his bruised thigh injury. 

Between Jackson and the improved o-line play, the Rams had a chance to win this game today. More time without Steven getting 20+ carries means more ugliness.

[Note by VanRam, 11/30/08 5:38 PM EST ] And we have our answer: 

"He was gassed. His leg was starting to bother him. We told him before the game to go as far as he could go."

Another week, another rant about the Rams lines. I'm starting to at least find comfort in the steadiness of the theme. 

But let's throw that aside; make it a standing assumption - sort of like accounting for the throngs of opposing fans at the Dome. 

The Dolphins are a fine team, already with six more wins than they totaled last season, and one that we hopefully see as a future vision of our own hapless Rams. A cleaned out and ideologically committed front office, sensible and impactful personnel moves, fans again enjoying the distraction of weekly ritual...it happened to them and with the right course, it'll happen to us.

That said, wouldn't there be something entirely appropriate in beating the Dolphins today? A statement of impending change. Not an easy task, but here are a couple of personal, uniformed observations linked to the possibility.

1. Run the ball, no matter how futile it seems - and each Rams offensive possession carries a high amount of futility nowadays anyway - commit to the run with a healthy Steven Jackson. Jackson has the ability to break off a good run, where other backs wouldn't get more than a yard or two. That forces the Dolphins to respect the run, thus opening the opportunity for the Rams to inflict damage through the air, a Miami weakspot.
2. Slow the game, feel the ball, be the ball. The defense can't get beat with reverses and the Wildcat formation. If the Rams defenders can flow to the ball, they can at least stem some of the bleeding. Being in the right position obviously helps.
3. I said it last week and I'll say it again this week, respond well to adversity. The Dolphins are going to score and will probably get a lead over the Rams at some point in the first half. Whether that leads stays within a 7-10 point margin (no small gap for the Rams I realize) or another 30 point laugher is up to the players. Prevent more of the same, and it's already something of a victory. 

Scores and updates at the SBN Scoreboard. 

GO RAMS!!!

Game thread coming...some items worth mentioning to start the day.

• Rams RB Steven Jackson is set to play today. That's good news. Eventhough the Dolphins have a thick run defense, I'd like to see the Rams come out and try to run the football, establish something on the ground early. Make 'em honest about Jackson's presence and then open the field up for play actions and the passing game.
• Brett Romberg will get the start at center. Haslett has said rookie OL John Greco will play today, but no word on whether or not the interim head coach is shifting his o-line. Doubtful to start the game.

The Dolphins are a 9 point favorite against the Rams this week. The spreads keep spreading. Though daunting, that spread is fairly generous for the Rams, who've failed to cover the spread since their loss to New England. 

Naturally, that makes predictions tough. I'm giving up on making them. Let's try a poll instead...the wisdom of crowds and all that.

You want rookies, you got 'em. Blow out after blow out, the Rams have finally decided to start deriving some purpose out their remaining games by using the few rookies and less-experienced young guys not already playing...and most are already playing.

The news surfaced today that Rams LB David Vobora - who I'm mandated by higher authorities to remind you, yet again is Mr Irrelevant - will get the start in the middle with the Rams outside-linebacker-curiously-starting-in-the-middle Will Witherspoon nursing two beat up shoulders. Witherspoon will play still in two-minute and third down situations. Vobora even gets to wear the radio. Fellow seventh-round pick LB Chris Chamberlain will play too. 

Also getting some time this week, rookie OL John Greco. The configuration of the interior line is still up in the air. At issue is how to replace C Nick Leckey, a player far from being irreplaceable himself. Haslett left open the possibility of sliding Incognito over to C and putting Greco at RG. It's obvious Haslett and Co don't think Brett Romberg automatically gives the Rams their best chance at winning after a mediocre outing in Leckey's stead last week. I'm surprised  there's not more of a question around whether or not LG Jacob Bell will play after getting pulled for his less-than-stellar performance during the Bears game, but apparently he's in reading between the lines from Haslett's Monday presser (subscription required):

He [Incognito playing center] has done it before but we haven’t discussed it yet. He has played it and that would give us a pretty good interior with (G) Jacob (Bell) and John (T) John (Greco).

You may recognize similar comments having emerged at TST sometime ago. The last word: if it would be so damn good why is there a question?

TE Daniel Fells, who spent the last three seasons on various practice squads, has been practicing as a fullback, in place of the recently released Dan Kreider. Fells already seems to have surpassed TE Joe Klopfenstein on the depth chart. 

The Rams have committed to their youth; one way or another, the youngest players on the team are playing. The one exception seems to be 5th round draft choice OG Roy Schuening. He won't dress again this week. 

With the rookies at LB, you'll hear about "watching out for the Wildcat" ad naseum, already are. On a more simple level than the Wildcat, watch the overpursuit. That was the operative word for the Lions defense yesterday, as they found themselves fooled by even the most routine pump fake. The Rams have already made a mess out of gap assignments, but I haven't noticed the overpursuit to that extent. However, I could have easily missed it watching the Rams defensive line get gashed and plowed over.  

An ugly Thanksgiving for the NFC West...but maybe there's something to be thankful for at Rams Park.

Steven Jackson is practicing and that's a step in the right direction. However, head coach Jim Haslett has yet to make anything official and Jackson has to make it through practice today. Haslett is concerned about Jackson ability to run on his leg, using his quads to generate his power. 

I'm not venturing out into the madness today, save for a dog walkin' break or two and whatever clean up duty I'm assigned, so stick around, more to come...

Ah, ritual. Every week for the last three years it seems like we're asking whether or not the Rams will have key players or not for that week's game. This week, there are some biggies. 

QB Marc Bulger - He's set for a neuropsych test today, which will determine whether or not he'll practice and play this week. haven't we been here before? Oh yeah, last year. Anyway, if Bulger can't go, Trent Green will get the start, a decision sure to light up message boards and talk radio around the metro area.

RB Steven Jackson - He's been running in workouts this week, and will give it a shot in practice today. There's actually a decent chance Steven Jackson will play this week. The Dolphins have a pretty tough run defense.

LT Orlando Pace - The Rams are hopeful Pace will be back after suffering a knee injury against the 49ers. 

We'll keep an eye on the afternoon practice reports. Stay tuned.

None would dispute the claim that Rams DE Leonard Little is a player, neigh, a playa, a playa's playa. 

But even the remaining handful of Rams partisans were shocked to learn the sackmaster's nuts are so steely that he doesn't even need his hamstring to play the game. That's the kind of dedication the Rams need more of.

But I also wondered if that doesn't hurt the team, a team that desperately needs better play from its d-line. Obviously it limits the number of snaps he sees, but he's still been able to get penetration and has a few near misses on QBs since tearing his hammy against the Pats. I think what's affecting Little's sack totals more than anything is the play in the middle of the defensive line.

Next question, what about Little's future with the Rams? I can't imagine the Rams parting ways with Little next season; they need dedicated players as much as any one positional need. If they can take steps to make the d-line better, i.e. add a husky DT in the middle, Little should be productive with limited duty. Offseason physicals will have much to say about the matter too. 

Anyway, even without the numbers, Little's a bright spot for the Rams this season.